Platon

photographers

Platon is a photographer, public speaker, and founder of the non-profit foundation The People's Portfolio.

He worked at British Vogue for several years before relocating to N.Y.C. to work for the late John F. Kennedy, Jr. and his political magazine, George. He has since shot portraits for a range of international publications including The New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Esquire, GQ, and the Sunday Times Magazine, and developed a special relationship with TIME – producing over 20 covers. His 2007 cover of TIME Magazine's Person of the Year Vladimir Putin was awarded first prize at the World Press Photo Contest.

In 2008, Platon signed a multiyear contract with The New Yorker, where he produced a series of large-scale photo essays, two of which won ASME Awards (2009 and 2010). He soon teamed up with the Human Rights Watch to help the group celebrate fighters for justice in countries suppressed by political forces, highlighting human rights defenders in Burma as well as the leaders of the Egyptian revolution. Platon photographed Aung San Suu Kyi, chairperson of the National League for Democracy in Burma, days after her release from house arrest. He was honored with a Peabody Award in 2011 for his images portraying Russia's Civil Society made in collaboration Human Rights Watch and The New Yorker.

The publication of Platon's first monograph, "Platon's Republic" (Phaidon Press, 2004) coincided with exhibitions at the former Saatchi Gallery in London and Milk in New York. His second book, "Power," a collection of portraits of over 100 world leaders, was published in 2011 by Chronicle.

Permanent collections holding Platon's photography include: The New York Historical Society; The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts in Tampa, Florida; The Westlicht Museum for Photography in Vienna, Austria; and the Scotland National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.

Public speaking now plays a major role in Platon's career as communicator and storyteller, and he is represented by Washington Speakers Bureau. He delivered a keynote speech on leadership at the World Economic Forum in Davos and has also appeared on a range of television programs, such as "Charlie Rose" (PBS), "Morning Joe" (MSNBC), "Fareed Zakaria GPS" (CNN), and the BBC World News.

In 2013, Platon founded The People's Portfolio, which aspires to create a visual language that breaks barriers, expands dignity, fights discrimination, and enlists the public to support human rights around the world. He is currently a member of the Global Leadership Council for the World Economic Forum.